Deuteronomy 20, a chapter totally devoted to war, demonstrates clearly that sometimes war is necessary. The doctrine of "just war" has always made sense to me, however I have also always been strongly averse to war of any kind. More than likely, the majority of wars fought throughout history have not qualified as "just wars." This is probably particularly true of modern wars. I think war is an engine too often abused. Its effects are dire, horrific, cruel. The innocent and the poor are usually the ones who suffer most in war. And because of these things I am through and through anti-war and nearly completely a pacifist. But, again, I'll come back to the concept of "just war." If an evil is truly great and truly unstoppable, what other course has been left to us? If peace has been offered and rebuked, if it's for the safety of society at large, war can be (though always unfortunately) the proper response. These ideas are solidly exclaimed in Deuteronomy 20. God reveals that there is a proper protocol for war. It is for the brave only. It is not for the newly married (who may be too distracted). And there is this relieving order: "If at any time thou come to fight against a city, thou shalt first offer it peace" (Deuteronomy 20:10). God's revelations concerning war are not inhuman nor cruel. They are rational, promoting peace first and war only as a last resort.
